Detroit Lions interview Saints assistant Dan Campbell for HC job; Ed Dodds next up at GM

Detroit Free Press

Dave Birkett
 
| Detroit Free Press

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The Detroit Lions are not done with their first round of general manager interviews yet.

The Lions have an interview scheduled Tuesday with Indianapolis Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds.

Dodds is considered one of the top up-and-coming talent evaluators in the NFL. He has served as Chris Ballard’s top lieutenant with the Colts the last four seasons, where he has helped guide the Colts to two playoff appearances since losing quarterback Andrew Luck to retirement.

Before coming to Indianapolis, Dodds spent 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and four years with the Oakland Raiders, As a national scout and senior personnel executive in Seattle (2007-16), he helped build the Seahawks’ Super Bowl champion team.

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Dodds withdrew his name from consideration for the Carolina Panthers GM job over the weekend, according to the Indianapolis Star. Panthers coach Matt Rhule has personnel control in Carolina. Dodds likely would have full control in Detroit.

The Lions have completed 11 interviews for their vacant GM job, most of them virtual, and are expected to meet in person with their final one or two candidates before making a hire.

On the coaching front, the Lions interviewed New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell on Monday morning, and are expected to meet with at least two more coaches this week.

Campbell, the fifth known candidate to interview for the job, played tight end for the Lions in 2006-08 and spent the past 11 years as a coach with the Saints and Miami Dolphins.

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He went 5-7 as interim head coach for the Dolphins in 2015, when he replaced Joe Philbin after a 1-3 start. In New Orleans, he has worked with tight ends and been assistant head coach the past five seasons.

Campbell caught 23 passes in 19 games with the Lions over three seasons. He finished his playing career with the Saints in 2009, when he missed the season with a knee injury.

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ESPN reported the Lions will interview Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Tuesday. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles also is expected to interview this week, likely Tuesday.

Already, the Lions have interviewed interim head coach Darrell Bevell, ex-Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Dodds worked with both Bevell and Saleh in Seattle.

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The Lions still could look to dip into the college ranks, with some NFL observers believing team president Rod Wood wants to land a big-name hire to replace Matt Patricia as head coach.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. 

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